Washington (CNN) – An influential liberal advocacy group shifted gears and is getting behind President Obama's push for health care reform even though its membership believes it doesn't go far enough.

MoveOn.org is spending "six figures" on television commercials to run on national cable and called on its membership to back primary challengers to Democrats who vote against health care reform legislation.

For the past year, MoveOn.org advocated that a public option be included in the overhaul health care reform. But the leadership of the member driven organization took a poll of its membership last week to see if it wanted to support the president's push. And 83 percent of them did.

"Our members still totally believe that the public option is the best way to lower costs and make health care affordable," said Ilyse Hogue, spokeswoman for MovOn.org. "And at the same time they overwhelmingly believe that the president's plan is the best way to keep health care reform moving forward and this is a necessary step."
The MoveOn.org TV ad contains images of prominent historical figures including an image of the founding fathers, President Abraham Lincoln, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., President Franklin Roosevelt and President Lyndon Johnson.

"Throughout history, America has been blessed with heroic leaders - individuals who helped us to navigate between right and wrong," the announcer says in the ad.
Citing rising health care costs and the needs of the uninsured in the country, the ad continues "We need historic action. We need our leaders to fight for what's right."

The ad implores viewers to call their representatives in Congress and asks them "Which side of history will you be on?"

As for supporting primary challengers, MoveOn.org representatives noted that every vote is needed in the House to ensure health care reform passes.

"With the big vote happening as early as this Friday, Conservative Democrats need to know the stakes if they choose to side with Big Insurance over the voters on health care reform," MoveOn.org said in the e-mail.

soundoff(55 Responses)

Edwin

Finally. But probably too late.

March 15, 2010 07:44 pm at 7:44 pm |

leonardofru

Moveon.org is assisting CNN in the rape of America. CNN failed to vet Obama, and you are not mentioning ONE PIECE OF SLEAZE being carried out by Pelosi. Screw you CNN. We will remember who tried to stick it in our ass when this is all over, regardless of how it turns out.

March 15, 2010 07:47 pm at 7:47 pm |

Claudia, Houston, Tx

I support MoveOn.org and I too will help challenge those Democrats in the primary who don't support and push for health care reform along with millions of other Americans. Those Democrats won't get a free ride.

March 15, 2010 07:49 pm at 7:49 pm |

Moveout

Move on needs to move alright, to an island.

March 15, 2010 07:51 pm at 7:51 pm |

Portland, Maine

it's about time. Welcome to the circus

March 15, 2010 07:51 pm at 7:51 pm |

leonardofru

Why is Martina Stewart painting moveon as some type of normal organization ? It is a radical Obamist group. Once again, screw CNN and screw Ms. Stewart.

Has Pelosi bedded Martina Stewart. That is the only thing that would explain this irrational story.

March 15, 2010 07:51 pm at 7:51 pm |

Chris Marr

Benjamin Franklin Health Care Compromise
In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin tells how Dr. Thomas Bond approached him to ask his assistance in raising money to build a hospital in Philadelphia, the first in America. Franklin, then a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, contributed his own money and sought financial assistance from the Assembly. When he met with resistance over the cost he drafted a bill with a contingency such that when the supporters raised 2000 pounds through private subscription that the Assembly would then pay 2000 pounds, in effect a 50/50 matching grant. Naysayers thought that they would never raise enough by private contributions but they did and the hospital was built.
Here may be a solution here to at least the financial element of the current health care legislation debate- calculate the annual cost, raise support by voluntary contributions, and when half the money is raised fund the rest. The cost to taxpayers would be much less and support for the programs would be clearly demonstrated.
The current problem is more complicated than this but with respect to funding this approach might be a good compromise and a fitting tribute to a great conciliator and the founders of America’s first hospital.

March 15, 2010 07:54 pm at 7:54 pm |

Joseph Waltz

As I've said...it's not perfect but it's a big step in the right direction. Let's pass the bill then work on aspects of it that could be better.

March 15, 2010 07:56 pm at 7:56 pm |

ThemThere

Of course they wll support this poor piece of legislation. They have been getting the same backroom deals the rest of the democrats. I can hear the discussion, "don't worry whats not in this bill, once we ram it through we can change it to your liking", by making it nothing it can be everything to every body. just believe what Obama says and you,ll be fine, right?
Typical bribery and/or extortion to get their way.

March 15, 2010 08:00 pm at 8:00 pm |

I am the Great and Omnipotent Wizard of Rush and I Say . . .

Democrats take note:
If you vote for health care reform the Republicans will go after you with all their guns blazing.

If you vote against health care reform the Republicans will go after you with all their guns blazing.

So do the right thing and support President Obama, because you can't please the party of No.

March 15, 2010 08:09 pm at 8:09 pm |

chris l

A website leads the Anti American Radical Lib Party. HILARIOUS. TOTUS and MOVE ON should battle for control of the Democratic Party.

In all seriousness, its going to be hilarious watching all the Radicals on suiicide watch after the bloodbath they're in for come November. The Radical Leftists are about to follow OBOZO, PIGLOSI and KOOKY REID over the cliff. Kind of like Al QUEDA they are killing their futures and taking America with them by forcing through OBOZOCARE, against majority opinion. They really should be thrown into Gitmo (thank god its still open) for treason.

March 15, 2010 08:12 pm at 8:12 pm |

David in GA

Medicare for all, is an has always been my goal for health care reform. This is a deal breaker for my vote.

David

March 15, 2010 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

T'SAH from Virginia

Thank You MOVEON – now we can get this done and MOVE ON to tother important issues our President will resolve.

This issue is being discussed a lot in the Coffee Party facebook page and we're also for VOTING out the DEMS who are in office now and REFUSE to vote the Health Insurance Reform bill......... YES WE WILL!

March 15, 2010 08:22 pm at 8:22 pm |

stop the nonsense

A little late, but we'll take 'em.
Had they not wanted the moon in the first place, we might already have a bill.
America voted in a President that campaigned on this issue. They voted in Democrats to see that it was passed and then, they became wimps and let the Right control the issue.
LIBERALS ARE "RIGHT" – Healthcare must pass.

March 15, 2010 08:23 pm at 8:23 pm |

Ridgeway

Brown Shirts. No idea about freedom or being American. More liberal stooges just like the ACLU, ACORN, NAMBLA, NOW, NEA, unions and on and on.

March 15, 2010 08:23 pm at 8:23 pm |

The Lady from Georgia

Oh it is ON now.

March 15, 2010 08:28 pm at 8:28 pm |

ender

Good. Pass this thing before the republicnas come in and water it down yet more.

The MAJORITY of Americans wanted the Public Option but the republicans ignored that. Now that Many say "No public option? Then I don't want the bill" the republicans are all of the sudden interested in what "the people want".

Pass it and move on. We've already lost too much to these republicans over the last 30 years and I'm personally SICK of them ripping this nation apart.

March 15, 2010 08:32 pm at 8:32 pm |

German, Irish American

This is no surprise, Godfather George Soros will keep his minions, Move-on, Acorn, the Obama administration in line. Just like a good mafia boss, which is the role this convicted criminal money backer and puppet string puller of Obama is.

March 15, 2010 08:34 pm at 8:34 pm |

PoorB4

Excellent! That is what I want to see. The so-called conserva-dems and other super liberal dems who are standing in the way of this legislation need to have primary challenges. If they aren't going to vote democrat, then what is the purpose in electing these toads! This president is sensible, he has good plans and the legislative branch are the ones in charge of crafting the legislation. It ain't perfect, but some progress is better than none. We need some government regulation of the healthcare insurance industry, with actual competition, which the exchange may provide. IF IT DOESN'T, THAN FIX IT LATER! We have to get going and at least try to solve this problem, before every last one of us in the US has to file bankruptcy because we got sick! Stop all the scare tactics and get to work for cryin' in the mud!

March 15, 2010 08:35 pm at 8:35 pm |

Mike Rowave

Would someone please tell this woman that her 15 minutes of fame expired a loooooong time ago.

March 15, 2010 08:44 pm at 8:44 pm |

Pragmatic

This bill is an imperfect start ... pass the bill – check out what really happens – tweak it as needed and wait for the next election cycle to see what the voters really think when all the drama is over.

The GOP had their "blank sheet" in 2000 and did nothing – which is what they will continue to do if elected. The Democrats caved in a foolish attempt to be "bipartisan". Pass the bill – as is – where is.

Boehner says " I'm doing everything I can to stop health care bill” …

"Many of our fellow Americans cannot afford to pay the costs of medical care when it is needed, and they are not protected by adequate health insurance." said Dwight D. Eisenhower.

March 15, 2010 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |

liz

It's about time! nothing that comes out of congress, especially a republican-infested congress, is going to be perfect. but this is a good start. we'll see how many statesmen we have in this congres when the vote comes up, and how many are just politicians.

March 15, 2010 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

60's survivor

move on and get er done!!

March 15, 2010 08:54 pm at 8:54 pm |

quincy of nashville

The health care reform movement has been stymied by its own supporters. Terrible public relations, Stupid comments and a lack of data. All strategists and ad developers should be canned. And to think that we let the curlish, childish, bully party knock it from the people's hands!